PhD Completion Grant

Applicants must meet the following eligibility guidelines:

• Applicant must be currently enrolled in a PhD program at the University of Michigan.
• Applicant must be in good academic standing and be making satisfactory academic progress toward the degree.
• Applicant must have completed all PhD degree requirements except the dissertation and the oral defense.
• Applicant’s dissertation topic must engage Japan in a substantive manner.  A dissertation that examines Japan in a comparative perspective is acceptable.

• Budget items must be consistent with the purpose of this grant: to help students make significant progress toward the completion of their dissertation and/or substantial improvement in the quality of the dissertation.
• This grant is intended to be the funding source of last resort.  Thus, it may not be used for expenses normally covered by other funding sources available to the student, such as the Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant, external grants and fellowships, funding from the student’s home department, or other student funding programs of the Center for Japanese Studies.  Students are strongly encouraged to make their plans early and to take advantage of other funding opportunities.
• PhD students may apply for and receive this grant only once during the degree program.
• Grant funds may not be used to cover the following:
  • PhD candidacy tuition, fees, GradCare.
  • Daily living expenses, including rent, food, utilities, and local transportation.
  • Purchase of computer equipment, peripherals, and supplies.
  • Payment for research assistance, such as data entry or transcription.
  • Editing or revision of dissertation for publication after the dissertation has been accepted by Rackham.

One time grant of up to $2,000.  The award will be paid through the student financial system as a stipend.

Important note to students receiving need-based financial aid: Students receiving need-based financial aid through the Office of Financial Aid should be aware that acceptance of this grant may result in an adjustment to your financial aid package.  It is your responsibility to provide the necessary documentation in a timely manner if an increase in your aid budget is required.

Important note to international students: If you are a citizen of a country without an income tax treaty with the United States for student scholarships and fellowships, the full amount of this grant is subject to mandatory income tax withholding.

Please submit the following items to the CJS Academic Services Coordinator.  Electronic submission is preferred to cjsacademics@umich.edu.

• Application Form (Download PDF)
• Itemized Budget
• Statement of Purpose (limit 1000 words): Please explain how items requested in your grant budget will help you achieve the purpose of this grant: to help you make significant progress toward the completion of your dissertation and/or substantial improvement in the quality of your dissertation.
• Current CV
• Letter of Support from the applicant's dissertation committee chair.  This letter should be sent directly from the chair to the CJS Academic Services Coordinator.  Email is acceptable.

Last business day of even numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, and December), at 5pm.  All application materials must arrive at the Center for Japanese Studies by the deadline.